Matthew 6:5-15 (KJV)

⁵And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

⁸Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Notes: Jesus gives 2 warnings about where and how we pray:

•Don’t pray (or anything else) for show. (Matt; 6:5)

•Don’t substitute quality with quantity (Matt. 6:7)

Q. What is prayer as defined by Scripture, and how is it different from regular conversation with God?

A. Prayer is communicating to God reverently. Prayer can be audible or silent, private or public, formal or informal.

Psalm 62:8 (KJV) 8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT) ⁶Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Biblical prayer is coming to the Father through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Q. If God already knows and rules everything, is prayer necessary?

A. God commands and invites us to pray. We come to know him, express dependence, seek help for ourselves and others, and glorify him as heanswers. Prayer is necessary as an ongoing practice of Christian obedience and dependence.

Luke 18:1 (KJV)

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Q. Are longer prayers and more religious words more effective?

A.-No. Matt. 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

If regular conversation with God means sincerely addressing him, it is already prayer.

Prayer does not become prayer through special vocabulary, a formal tone, closed eyes, or a particular posture. Scripture presents prayer as addressing God in worship, confession, thanksgiving, lament, petition, praise and intercession.

Walking Points:

•Spending time in the Word makes us better at prayer

•Spending time in the Word teaches us both how to pray and what to say

Monday Morning Moment:

^“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything”